United Nigeria Airline face sanction over Lagos-Abuja flight diversion

An investigation into yesterday’s diversion of a flight from Lagos to Asaba from Abuja has been launched by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Two of the airline’s wet-leased planes have had their operations halted as a result, according to Daily Trust.

It was learned today that the airline was informed of the suspension via letter.

When NUA aircraft 0506 touched down in Asaba, Delta State, on its way to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal two (MMA2), our reporter heard that the industry was confused.

Following the flight crew’s announcement that they had touched down in Abuja, the airline released a statement explaining the diversion as being caused by weather.

In a subsequent move, the NCAA investigated the circumstances of the diversion.

The airline’s claim that the diversion was caused by weather was found to be refuted by information from Air Traffic Control (ATC).

The event and “the confusion it has created in the public domain” are being investigated, according to a statement by Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of Civil Aviation.

“However, preparations have been made in anticipation of the results of the continuing investigation,” he stated. The Authority wants the public to know that it will continue to do everything it has always done to keep the aviation industry safe.